After being hurt in a workplace accident, you are probably concerned with the cost of your medical care and lost income because of your injury. Many work-related injuries are covered by workers’ compensation benefits, which compensate the employee for their lost wages and medical bills. However, in some cases, this may not be enough to compensate you fully for your expenses.
As Downey workplace injury lawyers at Glauber Berenson Vego, we could help you file a workers’ compensation claim and pursue additional compensation if you have a third-party claim. Contact our diligent workers’ compensation attorneys today to understand your available options.
Work injuries can happen for a variety of reasons. In certain industries, being hurt on the job is more common. For example, workers are at a higher risk in the maritime industry, construction work, firefighting, and similar fields. Common causes of work injuries include:
Other potential accidents could be due to a defective product that ends up causing a work accident. When this happens, the injured employee can seek workers’ compensation benefits and may have a third-party claim against the manufacturer or retailer. Those injured on the job in Downey should reach out to an experienced attorney to discuss the steps they should take to pursue compensation.
After a workplace accident, employees often ask how to file a worker’s compensation claim. In California, eligible employees are entitled to benefits for their medical care and lost income while recovering. To qualify, the injury or illness must be work-related. While it might be apparent if an employee falls off a ladder during their shift that the injury is work-related, it is not always clear cut. For example, if an employee develops an illness due to job-related smoke inhalation, the insurance adjuster may dispute its relation to work.
Filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits is a relatively straightforward process. First, injured employees should report the injury to their supervisor. Then, fill out the claim form (Form DWC-1), file it with the employer, and determine if the treating physician is within the employer’s medical provider network. Injured workers should seek prompt medical care for their injury. Delaying can impact a claim and might make injuries worse. The employee should await a claims decision specifying the type of benefits and amount the worker will receive. If the claim for benefits is denied, a Downey attorney from our firm could dispute a claim to show that the injuries were related to the workplace.
There are deadlines to remember when pursuing workers’ compensation benefits from an employer. Workers must report the injury within 30 days or risk losing their right to benefits. The deadline starts when the injury occurs, which can be difficult for injuries caused by chronic stress or strain as the symptoms develop over time. In those situations, the injured employee can argue the period began when they first sought treatment.
You are entitled to workers ‘ compensation benefits when you sustained injuries in a work-related accident in California. A Downey workplace injury lawyer could assist you with this process by pursuing the benefits you deserve so that you can focus on recovery.
To discuss filing a claim for benefits, contact our office to speak with an understanding attorney. We can schedule a consultation to discuss your possible options.
